PART 15:

Dad? Yeah? Are you and Selena okay? Adrian’s hands stilled on the tissue paper. Why do you ask? You seem stressed, more than normal stressed. Work stuff. Is it because of Selena? There was no point lying. Emma had radar for that kind of thing. Some people at work aren’t happy about me dating her. Why not? Because she’s my boss, and they think it’s weird.

Is it weird? A little, yeah. Emma considered this while carefully gluing a paper fish to the ocean floor. Mrs. Castellanos says people are always going to have opinions, and you can’t live your life trying to make everyone happy. Mrs. Castellanos is full of wisdom. She really is. So, are you going to stop seeing Selena because people think it’s weird? No.

Good. Because that would be dumb, and you’re not dumb. Adrian smiled despite everything. Thanks for the vote of confidence. You’re welcome. Now, make the kelp wavie. It looks too stiff. Thursday morning, Adrian got called into Rick’s office before his shift even started. Rick looked worse than usual, more tired, more gray.

He gestured for Adrian to close the door and sit down. “I’m going to be straight with you,” Rick said. “Upper management’s breathing down my neck about you.” What do they want? They want me to document everything. Every call you respond to, every job you complete, every minute you’re on the clock.

They’re looking for a reason, Vale. A reason to fire me. Yeah. Rick rubbed his face. Look, I’ve worked with you for 6 years. You’re solid. You show up, you do the work, you don’t cause problems. I don’t give a damn who you’re dating, but they do. And they’re going to find something if they look hard enough. So, what am I supposed to do? Be perfect.

Don’t be late, don’t miss anything, don’t give them an opening. Rick paused. Or quit before they make you. I’m not quitting. I figured you’d say that. Just be careful. Rick pulled out a folder. I’ve got you on routine maintenance today. Lower floors, nothing complicated. Keep your head down. Adrian took the assignment sheet. Thanks for the heads-up. Don’t thank me.

I’m just trying to keep my own ass out of the fire. But Rick’s expression said otherwise. For what it’s worth, I think what they’re doing is garbage, but I’m 3 years from retirement, and I can’t afford to make waves. I understand. Adrian made it through Thursday and Friday without incident. Every job was completed ahead of schedule, every form filled out perfectly, every interaction documented.

He felt like he was walking a tightrope, and the net below was made of knives. Friday night, he met Selena at a different coffee shop. This one even farther from the city, buried in a suburb where nobody would recognize either of them. She was already there when he arrived, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses even though it was almost dark.

Disguise? Adrian said, sliding into the seat across from her. I’m being careful. There are already photos of us online. What? Selena pulled out her phone and showed him. Someone had snapped a picture of them at the aquarium. Adrian, Selena, and Emma all visible. Emma holding Selena’s hand. The caption read, Titan Tech CEO Selena Cross spotted with mystery man and child.

New relationship? The comments were exactly what Adrian expected. Half of them speculated about who he was. The other half made assumptions about why a billionaire would be seen with someone who looked like him. “That’s just the first one,” Selena said quietly. There are others. Someone found your name. Found out where you work.

Adrian felt sick. Emma’s in that photo. I know. I’m sorry. No one gets to put my daughter online without my permission. I’ve already contacted the sites. They’re taking them down. But, Adrian, once something’s out there I know. He shoved the phone back across the table. I know. They sat in silence for a moment.

The coffee shop was nearly empty, just an older woman in the corner reading a book and a teenager on a laptop with headphones in. My board met yesterday, Selena said finally. What did they say? They strongly suggested I end the relationship, said it’s a distraction, said it’s unprofessional, said it’s creating a hostile work environment.

Her jaw tightened. They didn’t quite threaten my position, but they danced around it. Maybe you should listen to them. Selena’s head snapped up. What? Maybe this isn’t worth it for either of us. Are you serious right now? Selena, look at what’s happening. We’re hiding in coffee shops an hour from home.

People are taking pictures of my daughter without permission. Your board is threatening you. My supervisors are building a case to fire me. At what point do we admit this isn’t working? At the point where we actually try. Selena leaned forward. We’ve been dating for 2 weeks, Adrian. 2 weeks, and you’re already ready to give up? I’m being realistic.

You’re being scared. Again. Her eyes flashed. Every time things get hard, you start looking for the exit. I’m starting to think Emma’s not the only reason you keep pulling back. What’s that supposed to mean? It means maybe you’re scared of more than just losing your job. Maybe you’re scared of actually having something good and watching it fall apart like everything else in your life has.

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